Why wpa is better than wep

To help you understand your options, we discuss the history of security protocols and compare WPA vs. When you install WiFi, you have a few router security options. If your router is left unsecured, someone could access it, use it for illegal activities in your name, track your internet use or even install malware. When you look at the security of a wireless network, a few options will be available. Depending on the nature of your online use , you may require more or less security.

What security method you choose will depend on the capabilities of your router. If you have the option, here is the list of the best security protocols, ordered from most secure to least secure:. Wireless security has evolved over time to get stronger and easier to configure. Read through to learn about the history of how these security protocols evolved.

It was the standard protocol from to While this version was made to protect, it had poor security and was hard to configure. Cryptographic technology imports were restricted at the time, meaning that more manufacturers could only use bit encryption. This is a very low bit encryption compared to the bit or bit options available today. Ultimately, WEP was abandoned for a more advanced solution. KRACK exploits a weakness in WPA2, which allows attackers to pose as a clone network and force the victim to connect to a malicious network instead.

This enables the hacker to decrypt a small piece of data that may be aggregated to crack the encryption key.

WPA3 introduced new features for both personal and enterprise use, including:. Individualized data encryption : When logging on to a public network, WPA3 signs up a new device through a process other than a shared password.

Simultaneous Authentication of Equals protocol : This is used to create a secure handshake, where a network device will connect to a wireless access point, and both devices communicate to verify authentication and connection. Stronger brute force attack protection : WPA3 protects against offline password guesses by allowing a user only one guess, forcing the user to interact with the Wi-Fi device directly, meaning they would have to be physically present every time they want to guess the password.

WPA2 lacks built-in encryption and privacy in public open networks, making brute force attacks a significant threat. WPA3 devices became widely available in and are backwards compatible with devices that use the WPA2 protocol. Knowing your Wi-Fi encryption type is important for your network's security. Older protocols are more vulnerable than newer ones and, therefore, more likely to fall victim to a hacking attempt. This is because older protocols were designed before it was fully understood how hackers attacked routers.

The more recent protocols have fixed these exploits and are therefore considered to offer the best Wi-Fi security. Unfortunately, there is no way within iOS to check your Wi-Fi security. Each router may be different, so you may need to refer to the documentation that came with the device. Alternatively, if your internet service provider set up the router, you could contact them for assistance.

If a router is left unsecured, criminals could steal your internet bandwidth, carry out illegal activities through your connection, monitor your internet activity, and install malicious software on your network. WEP is now considered out of date as a Wi-Fi encryption standard, and users should aim to use more recent protocols where possible.

Other steps you can take to improve router security include:. You can read our complete guide to setting up a secure home network here. One of the best ways to stay safe online is through using an up-to-date antivirus solution such as Kaspersky Total Security.

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